Jordan Mailata: from heart surgery and NRL rejection to NFL superstardom

He always dreamt of playing in the NRL but after being overlooked for being ‘too big’ Jordan Mailata turned to the NFL - now he’s joined the ranks of superstardom with a Super Bowl victory for Philadelphia. This is his riveting rags to riches story.

The western Sydney man mountain who underwent heart surgery as a teenager and was offered only a pauper’s contract to play rugby league is now a global sporting superstar and Australia’s first Super Bowl winner.

Jordan Mailata, 27, was a key part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over three-peat hopefuls the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL decider on Monday watched by close to ‘200 million viewers worldwide.

Born in Bankstown, schooled in Condell Park and growing up wanting to be an NRL star, the 165kg behemoth of Samoan descent has emerged as the toast of American Football, a trailblazer for the code in Australia and a hero for kids with NFL dreams.

“What he has achieved is remarkable,” said Brad French, Chairman of American Football Australia (AFA).

Tipping the scales at 165kg (364lb), Jordan Mailata was considered too big to play in the NRL. Picture: AP Photo/Doug Benc

“It’s also hugely exciting. Flag football will be in the 2028 Olympics and we’re developing an even closer relationship with the NFL leading into the Games.

“Jordan will be a massive drawcard for kids to play the sport in Australia, whether it’s flag football or full contact.

“You’ll also have American talent scouts now scouring Sydney’s western suburbs even more intently looking for the next Pacific Island youngster who could emulate what he’s done.

“People need to realise how vital he is to the Eagles. As left tackle he is protector of the quarterback. It doesn’t get much more important than that.”

It also explains why Philadelphia signed Mailata in April last year to a three-year contract extension worth more than $100 million.

At Condell Park High, the school turned out in force to watch Mailata’s Super Bowl triumph. His cousin Lareese Petelo, 16, said: “We’re all very proud. Despite the fame and popularity he still remains grounded.”

His former PE teacher Kieren Frapell, 42, added: “You see him on a massive stage like the Super Bowl, but he’s still the same kid to me.”

Across Sydney, the Super Bowl was a must-view event.

Mailata celebrates after the Eagles beat Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Super Bowl. Picture: AP Photo/Doug Benc

Almost 1000 punters gathered at a Coogee Bay Hotel live site, with Eagles fan Corey Nelson saying: “It looked like we were in Philadelphia to be honest.”

Chiefs fan Sammy Marshall, 26, added; “It’s great to see a NRL town finally buy into the NFL.”

Mailata had never played American Football before Philadelphia selected him in the 2018 NFL draft. Until that point, he had been clinging to his childhood ambition of playing NRL.

He underwent an operation in 2014 to repair the upper and lower chambers of his heart after fainting during a pre-season session with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs under 18 team.

The following year he was playing for Five Dock RSL in the Balmain juniors, where he was spotted by a South Sydney scout.

The Rabbitohs signed him to a $5000 one-year deal to play with a feeder club but coach Michael McGuire admitted years later Mailata “was too big” to play NRL.

Souths CEO Blake Solly remembers a gentle giant who was “very respectful, very humble”.

“Everyone here is extremely proud and excited for Jordan,” Solly told The Daily Telegraph.

“To take the risk he did to go across to the US and succeed the way he has, he is a beacon for any kid wanting to live out their sporting dreams.”

Students from Jordan Mailata’s alma mater, Condell Park High School, cheer him on in the Super Bowl on Monday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper added: “Congratulations to the big man from Bankstown...an incredible achievement and a fantastic role model.”

Wade Kelly, CEO at AFA, said Mailata enters a new stratosphere with a Super Bowl win.

“Jordan already has a massive presence in the US,” Kelly said. “But people might not know he is also the star of the Eagles’ annual Christmas album. He has a great voice on him.”

So good that he appeared on the US version of the hit TV show The Masked Singer.

While becoming the first Australian to play in a winning Super Bowl team, Mailata is the second Australian to collect a winner’s ring. Jesse Williams was on the Seattle Seahawks roster when they triumphed in 2013 but did not play a game all season due to injury.

Originally published as Jordan Mailata: from heart surgery and NRL rejection to NFL superstardom